Study Guide: Listening Is an Act of Love

Pre-reading statement of opinion: A mother sometimes decides that it is best to give her child up for adoption. Do you think a mother who decides to do this can be a good mother? Why or why not?

Post-reading guided summary: Describe the reasons why Mary Lou Maher gave Brad Skow up for adoption. Explain how she felt 20 years later when her son called her and why she would never make the same decision again.

Personal response: Write your reaction to one or two aspects of the summary you have written, and try to connect this response to the opinion that you expressed before reading the StoryCorps transcript.